Here's a fun new interactive resource for schools and kids -- The Green Map. Students can learn about the environmental resources in their area as they create maps of the green resources in their own communities.

The New San Francisco Green MapSan Francisco Green Map designer/producer David Kupfer recently announced the release of a user-friendly interactive open source online map resource called the San Francisco Open Green Map.

The purpose of the map is "to raise awareness of the incredible environmental resources and to provide examples of innovation, conservation, and sustainability in the San Francisco Bay Area. The City of San Francisco and Northern California have an incredible number of vital and essential, green movements and organizations."

Kupfer says "This web service is a[n] environmental literacy holiday gift to the San Francisco Bay Area community that serves to educate and illuminate the City's environmental resources in a geographically visible and searchable database."

San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar commented, “The San Francisco OpenGreen Map is a wonderful environmental gift to the people of San Francisco.We hope to expand its use to more schools, community centers & neighborhoods. What a great example of how open source & GIS technology can be used to empower people and create a more sustainable world!”

What's On the Map400 different sites in San Francisco are listed, including parks,
farmers markets, community gardens, eco-advocacy organizations, art,
history, and cultural museums, school gardens, solar installations,
bicycle resources, parks and playgrounds, labyrinths, green buildings,
car-free zones, bird and wildlife watching spots, kid-friendly
eco-sites, great views and vistas, and waterfront parks. Citizens, activists, travelers, residents, and environmental groups areencouraged to contribute comments, photos, and videos to each of the sites.

The SF Open Green Map is based on the SF Green Map that was produced threeyears ago by local environmentalist David Kupfer. 17,000 San Francisco Green Maps were printed three years ago and distributed to schools, teachers, libraries, and given to citizens at various green festivals and conferences in recent years.

Owen Parker, who provided data processing and geocoding services for the SanFrancisco Open Green Map, said, "It's good to see mapping services used inthis way--as a vehicle for expanding people's understanding of the worldaround them. And it's exciting that the SFOGM is earth-focused andnon-commercial."

Partnering with City CollegeThis special urban eco-literacy effort is now tied into the GIS EducationCenter (GIS-EC) program at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), which iscommitted to supporting the SF Green Map and Open Green Map project.Students from the GIS-EC program and various other CCSF departments will beassisting with the on-going effort to promote, contribute to and manage SFGreen Maps and Open Green Map.

GIS-EC hopes to work with graphic design students to produce a set of maps
for print media which could be displayed in participating green sites and
local organizations; and used for educational curriculum at local secondary schools.

"Collaboration of this nature offers us a dynamic and inclusive way ofparticipating in a community of shared interests and concerns," said GIS-EC Director Suzanne Korey.

Students Developing Regional MapIn addition, the program is developing a Northern California Green AccessOpen Green Map which will be an opportunity to consolidate the greenresources in the region into one map.

Ms. Korey, who works with high school students in dual enrollment programs said, "Students, particularly those in secondary education, are increasingly fluent with multiple sources of technology and expect to see information in a graphicform; they are early adopters of new technology and enthusiastic users ofthe type of opportunities offered by Open Green Map Systems."

The Open Green Map System was innovated by Green Map® System, which promotes inclusive participation in sustainable community development worldwide and utilizes community mapmaking as its call to action. This New York-based nonprofit has to date supported over 720 locally-led projects in 55countries as they create perspective-changing Green Maps that chart localgreen living sites, ecological, social and cultural resources. Green Maps can guide millions of people to make climate-smart decisions.

Whether created by NGOs, city agencies, social entrepreneurs, universities,grassroots or youth groups, local and Open Green Maps havemeaningful impacts that expand the demand for healthier, greener choices,expand networks and help successful model initiatives spread to even morecommunities.

Each Green Map project uses globally designed Green Map Icons to highlightand link the sites, along with guidance from locally adaptablecollaboratively created Green Mapmaking tools that can strengthencommunications, leadership and organizing skills.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2010, Green Map System is also takingpart in the prestigious Smithsonian National Design Triennial. A Top-RatedGreen Non Profit and 1% for the Planet Recipient, the organization hasreceived the US National Sustainability Award in New Communications Tools,is a Technology Benefiting Humanity Laureate, a TreeHugger 2010 Best ofGreen winner and is listed among the United Nations Best Practices 100,among other honors.

Green Map System invites you follow its ongoing development of participationand local leadership in both emerging regions and capital cities. Exploreits innovative approach and find out how the organization uses 'web 2.0',social innovation and traditional mapping tools to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in climate-smart, healthy local activities.